PLANS for the future of Watchet in the wake of last year’s closure of the B3191 Blue Anchor road are to be presented to the public next month.

Award winning urban design and planning practice Feria Urbanism was commissioned by Watchet Task Force to produce an urban design strategy for the town.

The company’s early ‘urban design ideas’ were presented via an exhibition and workshops in June of this year for residents and local organisations to input their ideas to the strategy.

Now, the consultancy is to present its final report and concept for how the town can survive and thrive in future years at a public forum in Watchet Boat Museum starting at 6.30pm on Thursday, October 10.

Feria Urbanism founder Richard Eastham said the aim of the report was to drive resources and funding to key areas of the town.

The evening will be hosted by Watchet Town Council, which together with Somerset Council funded the task force as one of a series of responses to the road closure, which was forced by the risk of coastal cliffs collapsing.

Task Force working group chairman and town Cllr Sean Terrett said: “The task force have been working on a variety of projects to aid the town through a period of adaptation.

“Feria Urbanism were contracted to work alongside Watchet’s various community groups and tasked with providing an achievable vision of Watchet for the current and future generation, incorporating the environmental challenges the town now faces.

“Richard and his team led in-depth consultations with community leaders and residents from all walks of Watchet life.

“The results and recommendations are now going to be placed on show.

“This event gives townsfolk the opportunity to view a future Watchet, one that hopefully keeps Watchet town a jewel in the Somerset crown.”

Mr Eastham said: “It has been encouraging to work with a town council and a local community that are prepared to take the long view.

“This project is exploring how the ancient town of Watchet can successfully evolve over the years ahead, by anticipating the sort of changes needed to make it a place where people want to spend time.”

Town clerk Jo Grellier said: “Although over a thousand years old, Watchet’s future is very much a modern tale of the impact of climate change, and how, powered by community, residents and organisations working together with committed councils can be a positive force for the future.”

Ms Grellier said she hoped as many people as possible would take the opportunity to attend the presentation of the consultancy's final report.

The B3191, which linked the town to Blue Anchor and Carhampton and was an alternative route when the A39 was blocked, was ‘temporarily’ shut in January, 2023.

Somerset Council later said it would be too expensive ever to reopen the road, and its temporary closure was officially extended to 2029.

However, in May of this year the road was reopened for walkers and cyclists, but not for any motorised vehicles.